It's easy to rag on streaming video. The video quality from sources like Hulu and Netflix is pretty disappointing and if you're looking for more than stereo sound you'll be sorely disappointed. Vudu is different though. From the onset, the company has been aimed at providing high quality streaming to its customer base and today they've taken it a step further. For the first time ever, 7.1 channel audio will be available via a streaming video service.

The folks at Vudu teamed up with Dolby to get Dolby Digital Plus 7.1 channel audio running within the Vudu framework, starting with 'Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides,' which is now available for purchase on the Vudu service. This is a big step forward for Vudu and certainly for the streaming industry as well. Dolby says that the inclusion of 7.1 surround won't end with Vudu either. "Today is just the first step," says VP John Couling. "We look forward to having the opportunity to work with additional content providers to deliver premium-quality 7.1 surround sound to more consumers."